Urology
Urological Conditions
Treatment of Interstitial Cystitis
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
There are several forms of electrical stimulation (also known as “neromodulation”), normally used to treat incontinence, that seem to reduce IC symptoms. Generally, they involve using mild electrical pulses to stimulate the nerves that control the bladder and sphincter muscles. This stabilizes and strengthens muscles in the lower pelvis, and stimulates contraction of urethral muscles. The pulses can be delivered through skin patches or electrodes temporarily placed in the vagina in women or rectum in men. Another form of TENS is the implanting of a sacral nerve stimulator, a sort of pacemaker for the bladder. Like a pacemaker, it is implanted under the skin, which requires a small surgical procedure. Therefore, more details can be found in the section on surgery.